One Edison Jr. High student will have an opportunity of a lifetime by attending the inauguration of the nation’s 46th leader next year.
Amelia Collopy, a seventh-grade student and daughter of Michael and Kelli Collopy of Wintersville, was nominated by the National Youth Leadership Foundation (NYLF) STEM staff to participate in the 2021 Presidential Inauguration festivities in January. Collopy had attended the Envision STEM program at Bowling Green University last summer to participate in the Explore STEM program. She was selected to attend Envision by Stanton Elementary teacher Alicia Hartman while still a student there and took part in activities focusing on medicine. Events occurred in June and included emergency triage, robotics, engineering and forensic science.
“I recently received a formal invitation to participate in the alumni leadership forum in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 16-21. This nomination came from the Envision staff I met in the summer based on leadership and participation,” she explained.
Collopy, who is active at EJHS in the Jr, Beta Club, choir and girls’ basketball team, said she enjoyed her time at the Envision program and definitely recommends it to her peers.
“I found the program to be challenging and yet fun,” she added. “It allowed me to be independent and find confidence in myself. I would recommend the program to any student who may be nominated to go.”
While in the nation’s capital, she will have the chance to witness the Presidential Inauguration as well as participate in private tours of Washington’s top monuments and a formal gala. Additionally, there are opportunities to lunch with United States Women’s N soccer player Karli Lloyd and former White House aide/actor Kal Penn to discuss youth impact on the world today.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C., next year. I made a lot of friends when I went to Bowling Green and it was amazing. I can only imagine the opportunities that will be available in Washington. I am especially excited about the possibility of meeting one of my favorite United States women soccer players!”